He is Risen - Matt 28

Two women came to the grave of Jesus and were told that "He is risen." The women then saw Christ for themselves. The great joy they felt is obvious from this passage - but it might make us ask, how excited are we about Christ's resurrection? The resurrection of Christ is center to the faith of  Christianity. It gives us hope that someday we will share this resurrection.

Are you hiding in Church?

 In the book of Isaiah 29:13 God warns His people that He would not accept their worship. The worship was not given in humility, and it was not truly focused on God. How often do we use good things like church attendance or helping the poor, in place of seeking a true connection with God?  We might find it easier to go through the motions rather than face the Almighty God himself.

Prophet not perfected Is6

The prophet Isaiah had been speaking God's word for years when he had a vision that reminded him of just how different God is from even the holiest of men. In his vision Isaiah saw the very Throne of God, and realized just how insignificant he was compared to God. Isaiah's humble reaction to the sight of God is rewarded when an angle "cleanses" Isaiah's mouth with a burning coal. How has God provided significance to your life? Have you humbly realized how great God is?

Are you ready to turn your weapons into tools?

In Isaiah 2:4, God gives us a glimpse into the kind of kingdom He is setting up. In this famous passage, warriors are turning their weapons into tools for cultivating crops. What would happen if the church began to turn the weapons of our words and thoughts into tools for cultivating nourishment?

The Loneliness of "Not Dying"

Just as an un-planted seed remains alone, we as people will be alone until we "die" to our selfish natures. Jesus demonstrated the principle by dying on the cross to bring us into His family. How are we as his representatives living this out today? Are we willing to have a little less, so that someone

else has enough to survive?

Safe Under God's Wing

While the world gives us much reason to be afraid, the message of Christ is one of safety and security. Psalms 91 illustrates this safety as God putting His wings around us. The illustration might be even more significant when we remember that the wing and feathers are what most defines a bird as a "bird." So, with the thing that most defines Him, God protects us.

What ARE you wearing?

The Bible often uses clothing as a metaphor for traits we should demonstrate to those around us.

As Christians, we often show more concern for our physical attire than we do for our spiritual,

or metaphorical attire. Which do you think is most important to those you meet daily? The style 

and appearance of your outfit, or the genuineness of your concern?

In his letter to the Galatians, Paul refers to God's people as God's heirs. One way of 

thinking about this might be to see ourselves as instructed by the Old Testament Law,

but now as juniors in God's business of helping and saving. Do our actions suggest we are 

we living like true children of God and joint-heirs with Christ?

Confronting the idea of the Perfect Prince of Peace

When Herod heard the news of Christ's birth, his response is mass-murder. 

All who are confronted by the person of Christ are forced to show their true nature. 

What's your response to the idea of God's Son coming to our world to bring us true peace?

Who is Living on the Tightrope?

Rom 8:2 proclaim that we are free from the constraints of the flesh. Sometimes Christianity is

seen as too restrictive. The truth is that we can find great freedom in Christ by curbing 

our natural inclination to seek confirmation from others. 

Level Ground at the foot of the Cross

We all have a tendency to elevate ourselves above those around us. The Bible puts us all

on equal footing at the cross of Christ. Here we have no status other than "child."

Galatians 3:26-29

The Darker the Moment, the Brighter Your Light

When we see injustice, cruelty, and other forms of darkness, do we bring the light of God's grace and gospel into those situations? Some days the world seems particularly dark with evil behaviors - during these times we should shine the brightest. Matt 5:14-16

Is Fear Flattening Your Faith?

In Nehemiah 6, God's people were made afraid by the words of their enemies. Nehemiah resists that fear by calling on God to strengthen him and give him courage. This passage might remind us that faith in God is cure the for fear, and that fear is a drain on our faith. May we seek God's help in strengthening our faith to overcome the many fears that beset us.

Is Our Greed Preventing Us From Obeying God?

Nehemiah is angry when he learns how poorly God's people were treating each other. He was specifically upset over the way the poor were being treated. He accused the wealthy of disregarding God's law (Neh 5:6). The wealthy of Nehemiah's day repented and changed their practices. What would happen if the church began to care more about pleasing God and caring for His people, than about making a profit?

What Is Your Call To Action?

In Nehemiah 4:20, a trumpet sounded the need for God's people to gather to fight for their brothers.

What is our call to gather and fight our great enemy when he attacks our brothers and sisters in Christ? May we see the suffering of others and respond with care, concern, and prayer.

Everyone Can Help - Nehemiah 3

In Nehemiah 3, we read of a list of people working to rebuild the security wall around their city. The beauty of this passage is that there was work for every hand. As Christians we can take comfort in the fact that there is work for us and all of us our important to the work (1 Co 12:12).

Nehemiah seeks safety for his people

Nehemiah is devastated by the news that God's people are living in an unsafe place (Neh 1). The stories of persecution and lack of safety for his people, moved Nehemiah to give up his place in the king's court and travel to a place of danger, in order to help his people. What kind of move are we willing to make to ensure the safety of those around us? 

What ignites Your Passion?

While there are many things that could and maybe should excite us, there is really only

one passion that truly deserves our full attention. David expresses his great passion for

knowing God in Psalms 63 - How does our passion for God compare?

Samuel's child-faith

1 Samuel 3 tells the story of a boy whose spiritual mentors and leaders were greatly lacking. The boy,

Samuel, demonstrates the kind of wide-eyed wonder we associate with our earliest faith in Christ.

We might all be able to remember a time when faith was fresh and we were so busy praising God 

enjoying the miracle of salvation that we didn't think to find fault with those around us. What

would it take for you to return to that state?

What Do You Do When God Seems to be Contradicting Himself?

Genesis 22:1-2 is a passage that tests our faith almost as much the hero of the passage (Abraham). Abraham is asked to do the unthinkable, kill his son for God. Even more difficult to reconcile is the fact that God had also revealed that Abraham's son would one day be the start of a very large  family. Somehow Abraham was able to trust God ins spite of the seemingly contradictory ideas and proved himself a man of faith. How do you handle difficult requests from God?

It's important to note the story goes on to say that God did not ask that Abraham kill his son, but that He, God, provided an alternative. In the New Testament, we see God giving His Son and ending the practice sacrifice. In the place of burnt offerings, People of faith are now called on to provide help and comfort to others as a way demonstrating devotion to God.